In pictures: London’s Shangri-La at The Shard

The Deluxe City View Room at Shangri-La Hotel at The Shard in London. Courtesy Shangri-La Hotels and Resort

The Shard, at 309m, is Europe’s new tallest building — although it’s still shorter than the Burj Al Arab and massive 520m short of the Burj Khalifa, it’s still monumental for London. Rosemary Behan / The National

Borough market. Rosemary Behan / The National

Bermondsey. Rosemary Behan / The National

Train tracks view from The Shard. Rosemary Behan / The National

The Tate Modern. Rosemary Behan / The National

Canary Wharf viewed from The Shangri-La hotel. Rosemary Behan / The National

Southbank in London Rosemary Behan / The National

Resembling a giant postmodern tree, The Shard is almost as impressive to look at as it is to look from. From base level on a clear day, the glass-clad pyramidal spire seems to zoom endlessly upwards, like a rocket into space. Rosemary Behan / The National

The view of Tower Bridge and the River Thames at night in London. Jason Hawkes / The View from The Shard

Minimalist yet luxurious, the Shangri-La brand’s first hotel in the UK is housed in The Shard, Europe’s tallest building. It offers an unrivalled view of the British capital.